Fresh out of West Virginia University, Matthew Peaslee has been a Pirates fan for over two decades. While times have been hard, Peaslee remains a loyalist. He has been to 26 of the 30 MLB ballparks, but PNC Park has always been his summer home. With every slide there will be Pittsburgh Pride!

Yankees silenced as Bucs continue Spring fling

In 2008 actor Bill Crystal got his birthday wish as he signed a one day contract with the New York Yankees.

In his lone Spring Training at bat he struck out at the hands of Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm.

Three years later, six actual Yankees struck out against Pittsburgh pitchers.

On Tuesday the Bucs blanked the Yanks 2-0 at McKechnie Field in Bradenton.

Although the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Mark Teixiera did not take the field, come one, they’re still the Yankees.

James McDonald took the hill for the Pirates and lasted two solid innings, allowing just a pair of hits. Curtis Granderson tripled in the first inning and Eric Chavez notched a single in the second.

Behind McDonald, Aaron Thompson gave up two hits. New York would only reach base those four times.

Daniel McCutchen earned the win, his first of the Spring. He fanned two batters including Nick Swisher. Former first round pick Daniel Moskos was given the save and did not allow a hit in the 9th inning.

The Pirates now stand at 3-2 in the Grapefruit League. The other two wins came against the Tampa Bay Rays. The win against the Yankees was clearly the best performance from the pitching staff, thus far.

But, there was bad news in the day.

Relief pitcher Joe Beimel was ordered to be shut down due to discomfort in his left arm. He has undergone and MRI with results coming later Tuesday, or Wednesday. The newly acquired lefty was to be a strong hold in the bullpen. Working with Evan Meek and closer Joel Hanrahan, the back end of the pen looks to be one of the strongest in the NL Central.

Beimel was once a Pirate before this spring. From 2001-04 he was a reliever in Pittsburgh. He was anything but spectacular and has since spent time with the Dodgers, Nationals and Rockies reviving his career.

Just look at him.

He brings an edge, a fire of sorts, that will be utilized. His recovery needs to be brisk for his untapped potential to come about.

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